Capacity Building Initiatives in Preservation Techniques: A Case Study of Nigeria Universities

The librarians are often encouraged to maintain and keep their collections accessible through digitization as their stock in trade is their collection. This study examined capacity building initiatives in preservation techniques in selected libraries and assessed the level of training received by different library staff. Four university libraries were randomly selected and a descriptive survey method using a selfdeveloped questionnaire. The respondents comprised librarians and non-librarians. A total of one hundred and twenty copies of questionnaires were distributed, but a hundred and twelve was retrieved and used for the analysis. The study revealed that there were no professionals to manage the preservation section of the university library and as such, most institutions make do with Para-professionals like binders, technicians and library officers etc. Analysis from the respondent’s show that Universities in Nigeria are not exposed to capacity building in preservation. Finally, regular trainings are vital for the development of all staff and for any university to stand out amongst others; there must be provision for usual capacity building of both faculty and staf

Use of Newspapers and Magazines in the Academic Pursuits of University Students: Case Study of Covenant University

This paper examined newspapers and magazines as essential sources of information for students in Covenant University. A survey method was adopted for this research, and the instrument used for data collection was observation, and a self developed questionnaire. A total of 250 copies of the questionnaires were administered to students, only 215 were retrieved and used for the analysis. Findings revealed that the most consulted newspapers by both male and female students are the Punch, the Nation, Guardian, and Complete Sports, while the most consulted magazines by both students are PC World, Popular Science, Leadership and Time magazine, but female students have more interest in fashion magazines like Ebony, Style, Allure and Life etc. From the analysis it was discovered that a larger percentage of male students consult more newspapers than their female counterpart while female students consult magazines more. Findings also shows that students in Covenant University do not place high priority on educational information rather more priority is placed on general information like sports, current affairs, politics & entertainment etc

Preservation and Conservation Issues in Selected Private Universities in South-West Nigeria

Introduction Librarians the world over are tasked with the responsibility of acquiring, processing, disseminating this information to users, and due to constant exposure of clients to these materials the rate of degradation increases. Every library is prone to two kinds of deterioration: biological deterioration caused by insect attack/fungi growth or environmental deterioration caused by extreme dampness, wide fluctuations of relative humidity, variations in temperatures, light and atmospheric pollutants (Maravilla, 2008). Library materials consist of media, non-book and non-print resources. Examples of media resources include computer hard-drive, databases, library software; non book materials include CD ROMs, audio and video tape, while print materials include pictures, magazines, books, maps & photographic materials etc. Library materials deteriorate faster when publishers use sub-standard materials, of very low quality like paper which changes colour when exposed to either internal or external light, or the wear of paper glue and thread for sewing the book. This is very rampant in our local publications. We know that books cannot last forever thus as librarians we are left with the option of preserving this materials for future generations. Statement of Problem Deterioration of information resources in Nigerian University libraries have been established in literature as a universal phenomenon. While these materials are negatively affected by natural and human factors, observations and experience have shown that they are more vulnerable to decay and damage by climatic and environmental factors. The deterioration of library materials, especially the print materials have been in existence for some decades but have escalated drastically. Librarians must declare a state of emergency on the rate of deterioration of their collections, in other to retard the level of deterioration. However, in spite of the awareness and technological advancement in the field of preservation and conservation there seems to be more books deteriorating. Consequently, the need to find out preservation and conservation issues in selected private university libraries in Southwest Nigeria. Objective of the Study The specific objectives are to: i. To investigate the preservation and conservation techniques in use in the selected libraries. ii. To investigate if there is a policy applied by these libraries in preserving the library materials. iii. To find out the types of deterioration experienced in the selected private universities. iv. To investigate the level of degradation of resources experienced in the selected libraries v. To investigate the level of use of ICT in preservation and storage of materials vi. To discover possible challenges for effective preservation and conservation and to proffer solution

Students’ Awareness of Plagiarism in Some Selected Universities in South-western Nigeria

This article examined students’ awareness of plagiarism. A survey method was used for this study and the instrument used for collecting data was questionnaire. This study is to ascertain awareness, types, reason for plagiarism in students and existence of plagiarism software/policy in selected universities in Nigeria. Stratified random sampling method was adopted and respondents was selected from faculties of science and social science. Three universities were selected (A, B & C) in south-western, Nigeria. Data was analyzed using frequency counts and simple percent. It was discovered that students from all three universities were aware of plagiarism but still indulge in it by cutting and pasting from the internet. Findings show that plagiarism in university (A) is moderate, but the highest type is the use of articles without proper referencing the author, due to lack of research skills. Data from university B indicates that plagiarism is moderate, but the highest form of plagiarism is the use of a colleague’s work without permission. Data from university C illustrates that plagiarism awareness is high, but the highest form of plagiarism is citing an article in text, without proper referencing of the author. Institutions must ensure that plagiarism is included in their induction programme for students, awareness created on plagiarism, types,policy available in school, and the penalty defined in their hand book on code of ethics. Students must be encouraged to submit their project/thesis electronically in Microsoft word and Turn-it-in” software is recommended for checking articles/research publications.  Résumé : Cette recherche examine la conscience des élèves au plagiat. Méthode de recherche par sondage a été utilisée pour cette étude et le questionnaire a été utilisé pour la collecte des données. Cette étude vise à déterminer la sensibilisation, les types, la raison du plagiat chez les étudiants et l'existence d'un logiciel/politique de plagiat dans des universités sélectionnées au Nigeria. Une méthode d'échantillonnage aléatoire stratifié a été adoptée et les répondants ont été choisis dans les facultés des sciences et des sciences sociales. Trois universités ont été sélectionnées (A, B et C) dans le sud-ouest du Nigeria. Les données ont été analysées à l'aide de comptages de fréquence et de pourcentages simples. On a découvert que les étudiants des trois universités étaient conscients du plagiat, mais qu'ils s'y adonnaient encore en coupant et collant de l’Internet. Les résultats montrent que le plagiat à l'université (A) est modéré, mais le type le plus élevé est l'utilisation d'articles sans référence appropriée à l'auteur, en raison du manque de compétences en recherche. Les données de l'université B indiquent que le plagiat est modéré, mais la forme la plus élevée de plagiat est l'utilisation du travail d'un collègue sans permission. Les données de l'université C montrent que la conscience au plagiat est élevée, mais la forme la plus élevée de plagiat est de citer un article dans le texte, sans référence appropriée de l'auteur. Les établissements doivent veiller à ce que le plagiat soit inclus dans leur programme d'initiation des étudiants, à ce qu'une sensibilisation au plagiat, aux types de plagiat, aux politiques disponibles à l'école et aux sanctions définies dans leur manuel d'éthique soit mise en place. Les étudiants doivent être encouragés à soumettre leur projet/thèse par voie électronique en Mot de Microsoft et le logiciel "Turn-it-in" est recommandé pour vérifier les articles/publications de recherche

The Digital Librarian in the Community: Linking the Micro with the Macro

Digital librarianship is no longer an emerging concept as considered some years back; it has grown to become a force to reckon with, since it bridges the gap between traditional and digital library by preserving information in an electronic format for quick access and retrieval by library patrons. Digital librarian ensure regular subscription of electronic content of the library, act as an intermediary manager between resources and patrons, a voyeur of current information, organizer of digital resources such as e-books/journals, library’s repository, e-preservation and social media. The digital librarian in the micro community is prone to challenges such as low funds, inadequate power, low capacity building, inadequate service provider for internet use and lack of relevant Information and Communication Technology skills. Digital librarian is not just an information expert but a collaborator, researcher, facilitator, mediator and publisher of information and all these transformations would be further treasured in the community if patrons have access to uninterrupted internet service thus linking the micro to the macro

Iniciativas de capacitaçao em técnicas de preservação: um estudo de caso de universidades nigerianas

Os bibliotecários são frequentemente estimulados a manteras coleções acessíveis, por meio da digitalização dos conteúdos informacionais. Este estudo examinou iniciativas de capacitação em técnicas de preservação em bibliotecas selecionadas, e avaliou o nível da capacitação recebida por diferentes funcionários de bibliotecas. Quatro bibliotecas universitárias foram selecionadas aleatoriamente e utilizou-se a pesquisa descritiva cujos dados foram coletados por um questionário. Os entrevistados compreenderam bibliotecários e não bibliotecários. Um total de 120 (cento e vinte) questionários foi distribuído, mas apenas 112 (cento e doze) foram recuperados e utilizados para a análise. O estudo revelou que não havia profissionais capacitados para gerenciaras seçõ es de preservação de coleções das bibliotecas universitárias pesquisadas, e na maioria delas profissionais não bibliotecários realizavam essas atividades como, por exemplo, encadernadores e técnicos. As análises da coleta de dados demonstram que as bibliotecas das universidades nigerianas não estão capacitadas para a preservação de coleções. Finalmente, recomenda-se que capacitações regulares são vitais para o desenvolvimento dos funcionários e para qualquer biblioteca universitária se destacar entre as outras, dessa forma, deve haver previsão de recursos para a capacitação habitual da equipe.The librarians are often encouraged to maintain and keep their collections accessible through digitization as their stock in trade is their collection. This study examined capacity building initiatives in preservation techniques in selected libraries and assessed the level of training received by different library staff. Four university libraries were randomly selected and a descriptive survey method using a self-developed questionnaire. The respondents comprised librarians and non-librarians. A total of one hundred and twenty copies of questionnaires were distributed, but a hundred and twelve was retrieved and used for the analysis. The study revealed that there were no professionals to manage the preservation section of the university library and as such, most institutions make do with Para-professionals like binders, technicians and library officers etc. Analysis from the respondent's show that Universities in Nigeria are not exposed to capacity building in preservation. Finally, regular trainings are vital for the development of all staff and for any university to stand out amongst others; there must be provision for usual capacity building of both faculty and staff

The Digital Librarian in the Community: Linking the Micro with the Macro

Digital librarianship is no longer an emerging concept as considered some years back; it has grown to become a force to reckon with, since it bridges the gap between traditional and digital library by preserving information in an electronic format for quick access and retrieval by library patrons. Digital librarian ensure regular subscription of electronic content of the library, act as an intermediary manager between resources and patrons, a voyeur of current information, organizer of digital resources such as e-books/journals, library’s repository, e-preservation and social media. The digital librarian in the micro community is prone to challenges such as low funds, inadequate power, low capacity building, inadequate service provider for internet use and lack of relevant Information and Communication Technology skills. Digital librarian is not just an information expert but a collaborator, researcher, facilitator, mediator and publisher of information and all these transformations would be further treasured in the community if patrons have access to uninterrupted internet service thus linking the micro to the macro